Linda wondered how to apply that challenge in her world.  As the school counselor at Fairview Elementary School in Sylva, North Carolina, she wondered what she could do to create a peaceful environment for her students.  She long believed education was the key to understanding differences between people and cultures, yet she couldn’t figure out the best way to connect with her young students.

So Linda thought back to her own childhood, and she remembered when should would sit with her grandmother in her favorite rocking chair, and together they would read books and tell stories.  Those times made Linda feel special because she knew her grandmother was stopping her daily activities just to spend time with her.

After working with children for 30+years, Linda knew first-hand that many children do not receive the kind of caring attention they need, especially when it comes to reading.  So Linda had her grandmother in mind when she went to Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® and purchased two double rocking chairs. She then persuaded her friends and neighbors to come to her school and read with children. Within a few months, dozens of volunteers were reading with children, and her “Rockin’ Reader” program became a tremendous source of hometown pride. 

At the end of the school year, Linda shared the idea with Cracker Barrel by mailing photos and letters to the company’s corporate office.  The photos and letters were special, and soon enough, Cracker Barrel and Linda worked together to share this idea with other schools.  

With Linda’s help, Cracker Barrel developed the Rockin’ Reader® program as a way to build caring and literacy in the community.  Through Rockin’ Reader, Cracker Barrel donates rocking chairs and books to elementary schools.  In the first year, Cracker Barrel established partnerships with 122 schools in seven states.  Cracker Barrel donated the rocking chairs and books while teachers encouraged parents and other volunteers to read with children.

The idea took off.  In that first year, volunteers contributed 16,400 hours of reading time with children!  The result overwhelmed both Linda and Cracker Barrel.
 
“It’s incredible to see Rockin’ Reader being so successful in our partner schools,” said Linda. “16,400 volunteer hours is quite an accomplishment for a new program that had only been in those schools for a few months.”

At the start of the 2009-10 school year, Cracker Barrel expanded the program and now has partnerships with 225 elementary schools in 29 states.  Volunteers are working toward the goal of contributing 25,000 volunteer hours of reading time with children. 

When people think of Cracker Barrel, certain images come to mind, including friendly people, good country cooking, unique gifts, a fireplace in the dining room and rocking chairs on the front porch.  Folks like relaxing in rocking chairs, and the Rockin’ Reader program brings that comfort to elementary schools.  The kids really enjoy a volunteer spending time reading with them, and we believe the kids will remember these interactions as they get older.  Linda met the challenge of creating a peaceful environment, and Cracker Barrel is honored to bring her vision to elementary schools across the country.

Cracker Barrel recently presented Linda with a framed Rockin' Reader print as a retirement gift.  (seated - Linda Minor, Diana Wynne (Cracker Barrel); standing from left - Jim Taylor (Cracker Barrel), Lee Minor (volunteer), Jim Herman (Reading First; Tennessee)